BELJO ON TARGET FOR CROATIA

World champions Spain defeat Croatia in Seville

30.09.2026.

Photo by: Drago Sopta/HNS

In the second round of the Nations League, the Croatia national team travelled to face reigning world champions Spain, who eventually secured a 4-1 victory.

SPAIN – CROATIA 4:1 (2:1)

Nations League, Group A3.
Seville, Estadio Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán.

Referee: S. Gözübüyük (Netherlands)

Goals: 1-0 Yamal (2’), 1-1 Beljo (28’), 2-1 Pubill (31’), 3-1 Yamal (63’), 4-1 Williams (89’)

Yellow cards: Pongračić (18’), P. Sučić (37’), Baena (49’), Marco Pašalić (54’), Mišić (58’)

Spain: Unai Simon, Cucurella, Huijsen, Cubarsi, Pubill, Ruiz (57’ Pedri), Zubimendi (72’ Rodri), Baena (68’ Williams), Lopez (57’ Merino), Yamal (68’ Munoz), Oyarzabal. Coach: L. De la Fuente.

Croatia: Livaković, Gvardiol, Šutalo, Pongračić (46’ Vušković), Smolčić, Mišić, Kovačić (60’ Mario Pašalić), P. Sučić (81’ Modrić), Perišić (72’ Ivanović), Marco Pašalić, Beljo (60’ Budimir). Coach: S. Bilić.

Following their valuable victory in Prague, Slaven Bilić’s side travelled to Spain for the hosts’ first home match since winning this year’s World Cup.

Spain took the lead as early as the second minute through a precise finish from Yamal. After several more chances for the hosts, Croatia responded in the 28th minute. Perišić delivered the cross and Beljo headed the ball into the net to make it 1-1.

However, the hosts immediately regained the lead. Yamal crossed for Pubill, who rose highest and headed home for 2-1. Shortly before half-time, Lopez hit the post.

In the 63rd minute, Yamal scored his second goal of the match to complete the move and extend Spain’s lead to 3-1, before Williams scored the final goal in the closing stages of the match in Seville to make it 4-1.

In the other match of the second round, England defeated Czechia 2-0. In the third round of Nations League Group A3, Croatia will play their first home match of the campaign, hosting England in Rijeka on Saturday, 3 October.

Nations League, Group A3:

Spain 6 (7:3)
England 3 (4:3)
Croatia 3 (3:5)
Czechia 0 (1:4)

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